Valve assembly



May 11, 1943- A. L. PARKER 2,318,962

VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed Aug 5! 1940 Patented May ll, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT F-FICE VALVE ASSEMBLY Arthur L. Parker, Cleveland, Ohio Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,762

Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in a valve assemblyy for controlling the passage of iiuid, and more particularly to improvements in a valve assembly in l sembly to be used with extremely small pipe or tube connections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve assembly of the above type wherein chattering or pounding of the valve member is prevented by means of a cushioningchamber which is disposed so as not to interfere with the passage of fluid through the inlet 'and outlet pipe or tube connections.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve assembly of the above type wherein chattering or pounding of the valve member is prevented by means of a cushioning chamber disposed peripherally around the inner surfaceof the valve casing so that no obstruction is offered to the passage of uid therethrough and so as to permit the valve assembly to be made in small sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve assembly of the above type wherein restricted communication is provided between the cushioning chamber and the fluid remaining on the discharge side of the valve, this restricted communication operating to effect a cushioning or checking ofthe movement of the valve mem'- ber in either direction so as to prevent chattering or pounding thereof.

The above and other objectsof the invention will in part be obvious and will hereinafter be more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the -valve assembly.

Figure 2 is a enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the valve assembly, showing the valve member in a seated position.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

i'teierring more in detail. to the accompanying drawing, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, .the valve casing is illustrated as including male and female coupling parts I0, II, respectively. The female casing part II includes a skirt or sleeve portion I2 which provides a housing for the valve and which has one end thereof internally threaded, as at I3, to threadedly receive an externally threaded portion I4 on the male casing part I0. The male and female parts I0, II, are provided with non-circular wrench engaging portions Ia, IIa, respectively, so that these parts can be tightly secured together. The female part I I is provided with an outward externally threaded extension I5 which is centrally bored to provide an inlet passage I6. The extension I5 is adapted to be secured to a pressure supply or inlet line. The male part I0 is centrally bored to provide a longitudinal discharge passage I'I and this male partis also provided with an outward externally threaded extension I8 which is adapted to be secured to a discharge or outlet line.

The inner endfl 9 ofthe portion I4 on the male member IU is reduced in internal diameter and is provided with an internal annular recess 20. A sleeve or skirt member 2I extends inwardly from the male member I0 and has the outer surface thereof spaced inwardly from the adjacent inner surface of the casing sleeve I2 so as to pro vide a peripheral chamber 22 therebetween. The inner surface of the sleeve member 2l is substantially flush with the inner surface of the discharge passage I'I so as to provide for the free flow of fluid therethrough. The inner end of the sleeve member 2| is spaced from a valve seat 23 which isl formed around the inner edge of the inlet passage I6 in the female part II.

member 2l is provided with an outwardly extending annular rib 25'which is adapted to extend within the annular recess 20. This connection between the sleeve member 2i and the male part itl is a relatively loose connection so that the sleeve member 2l is adapted to float within the inwardly extending peripheral skirt portion '26 on the valve member 24. With this construction,-

the various parts have an opportunity to become properly centered so as to assure proper` seating of the valve member.

The valve member 24 has a closed surface extending across the passage I6 and is provided with suitably shaped surfaces which are adapted to tightly close the passage I6 when in contact with the. valve seat 23. The outer surface of the skirt portion 26 on the valve member fits against the inner surface of the casing part I2 and extends within the space provided between the inner surface of the casing part l2 and the outer surface of the sleeve member 2|. Thus, the skirt portion 26 on the valve member serves as a substantial closure for the chamber 22 and is permitted to move relative thereto so that the effective size of the chamber is varied upon movement of the valve member.

The disposition of the valve skirt 26 between the outer surface of the sleeve member 2| and the inner surface of the casing part l2 affords longitudinal guiding means for the valve member although the valve member is substantially free to rotate so that it will center itself on the valve seat. With this construction, the valve skirt provides a movable closing wall for the cushioning chamber 22. However, bleeding of fluid between the chamber 22 and the fluid discharge passage is permitted between the adjacent surfaces of the sleeve member 2| and the valve skirt 26.

A coil spring 2l is disposed around the sleeve member 2| within the chamber 22 and bears against a ange 28 on the sleeve member 2| and also against the valve skirt '26. The coil spring 2l thus tends to normally force the valve member 24 toward a seated position. A sufficient space is provided between the inner end of the sleeve member 2| and the adjacent surface 29 of the valve member 24 so that the valve member is capable of reciprocating within the valve casing. Between the valve skirt portion 26 and the closure portion, a, plurality of spaced openings 3|l are provided. These openings 30 are in communication with the discharge conduit and, when the valve member 2d is opened or raised from the seat 23, iuid will pass from the inlet passage I6 through the ports 30 into the discharge passage When the valve assembly is connected in a hydraulic pressure line, that is, between the inlet or supply line and the discharge or outlet line, fluid under pressure from a pump or other suitable source of supply will enter the inlet passage I6 and exert an opening force against the valve member 24. When the pressure reaches a degree suicient to overcome the normal closing action of the spring 2l, the valve member 2d will be shifted away from the valve seat 23 so that fluid will pass through the openings 3l] into the valve casing and through the discharge passage Il. Fluid on the discharge side of the valve member 26 will gain access to the cushioning chamber 22 through the restricted communication afforded by the adjacent contacting surfaces of the valve skirt 26 and the sleeve member 2|, as indicated by the numeral 3|. Movement of the valve member away from the seat 23 will cause the valve skirt 26 to reduce the eective size of the chamber 22. The amount of bleeding afforded between the surfaces 2|, 26 is relatively small but fluid will gain access to the chamber 22. The escape of uid from the chamber 22 is thus substantially retarded so that the uid present within the chamber 22 will act as a cushioning means to prevent sudden movement of the valve member in this direction. Thus, pounding of the portion 29 of the valve member against the end of the sleeve member 2| is prevented.

When the pressure in the inlet line is reduced below a predetermined degree, the spring 2l tends to force the valve member 24 toward its closed position resting on'the valve seat 23. During this closing movementof the valve member 24 a partial vacuum is created within the chamber 22,

f since the restricted communication retards flow of valve member 24a which of iiuidI from the discharge passage Il into the chamber 22. Thus, pounding of the valve member 24 on the seat 23 is prevented and this elimination of pounding or chattering also serves to eliminate any peening of the valve member in striking the seat.

In Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing, there is shown a modified form of valve member. as well as a modified form of sleeve member. In some cases, it is desirable to aiord restricted communication between the cushioning chamber 22a and the discharge passage Ila by relatively small apertures Bla which extend through the sleeve member 2|a, as shown in Figure 4. With this type of construction, movement of the valve member 24a away from the valve seat 2 3 will cause the valve skirt 26a to reduce the effective size of the chamber 22a. The apertures 3|a are relatively small and thus retard the escape of fluid from the chamber 22a so that the fluid present within the chamber 22a acts as a cushioning means to prevent sudden movement of the valve member in this direction. Similarly, when pressure in the inlet line is reduced below a predetermined degree the spring 21a tends to force the valve member 24a toward its closed position resting on the 'valve seat 23. During this closing movement of the valve member 24a, a partial vacuum is created within the chamber 22a. since the restricted communication afforded by the apertures 3| a retards flow of fluid from the dis charge passage |10. into the chamber 22a.

In Figure 4, there is also shown a modified form is useful in certain types of hydraulic systems where some reverse flow through the valve assembly is desirable. Thus, such a construction might be applied for controlling various retractable landing gear mechanisms for airplanesvwhere it is desired to prevent toc rapid movement of the landing gear from its retracted position. In such an application, hydraulic power would be used to retract the landing gear, but, in reverse movement, it would be desired to restrict rapid movement of the landing gear which would be caused by the Weight thereof. For this purpose, the valve member 24a is drilled to provide a relatively large hole through the center thereof. The valve member 24a is made of relatively hard material and before it is brought to the iinal heat treated hardness, this hole is drilled. The relatively soft rivet 32 is driven into the hole through the valve member and this rivet may be further drilled to provide a relatively small bleed hole 33. With such a construction, the relatively soft rivet 32 may be drilled at the manufacturers plant or at the place of installation of the valve assembly.

This general type of check valve assembly may also be employed in angle fittings, as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing. In this form of the invention, the valve casing 34 is provided with inlet and outlet fluid passages 35, 36, respectively, which are disposed at angles to one another. In line with the passage 35, the valve casing is provided with a internally threadedl sleeve portion 31 to which a cap 38'is threadedly secured. The cap 3 8 has a depending skirt portion 39, the outer surface of which is spaced inwardly from the innersurface of the'sleeve portion 31 on the valve casing 34. The valve member 40 has a closed central portion which is Y adapted to cooperate with a seat 4l around the passage 35. The valve member 40 is also provided with an upstanding sleeve or skirt portion 42 which fits within the space provided between the depending sleeve 39 and the inner surface of the casing sleeve 31. Thus, the valve member is guided in this space and, as pointed out in connection with Figures l, 2, and 3, bleeding of fluid is permitted between the adjacent contacting surfaces of the sleeves 39, 42. 'I'he free end of the valve sleeve 42 is spaced below the cap 38 so as to provide acushioning chamber 43 and the4 valve sleeve 42 forms a movable wall for this chamber. A coil spring 44 is disposed within the chamber and bears against the inner surface of the cap 38 and the end of the valve sleeve 42,

. thus tending to normally force the valve member 40 toward a seated position.

The valve member may be provided with passages 45 in order to permit fluid to gain access to.

the chamber 46 which is formed within the inner surface of the depending sleeve 39. This uid will gain access by bleeding to the. cushioning chamber 43 so that movement of the valve member 40 away from the seat 4I will tend, to be checked. Similarly, as pointed out in the previous description, movement of the valve member tovvardaI seated position will also be checked I sage by bleeding between adjacent surfaces which include the inner surface of the movable valve skirt portion, orby relatively small apertureswhich extend through the sleeve member on the male part. The valve sleeveportlon is illustrated as forming a movable confining wall of the cushioning chamber so that the effective size of the said valve casing, a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve seat for controlling the passage of iluidthrough the casing, a sleeve member relatively loosely connected with the male part of said casing and slightly spaced inwardly of the female part of saidcasing whereby to provide lan annular chamber around the inside ofthe casing'without obstructing the free 1 flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member having a skirt portion extending into said chamber and forming a movable wall thereof, and means providing restricted communication between the chamber and the discharge side of 1 chattering of thevalve member incident to reciprocation thereof.

l 2. A check valve assembly for use in fluid pressure lines, comprising a valve casing having male and female parts, a valve seat disposedv within said casing, a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve seat for controlling the passage of fluid through the casing, the male part of said casing having an annular recess opening inwardly thereof, a sleeve member having an outward annular shoulder adapted to fit within said annular recess for loosely connecting said sleeve member to the male part of said casing, said sleeve member being spaced inwardly from the female part of said casing whereby to I fluid therethrough, said valve member having a skirt portion extending into said chamber and forming a movable wall thereof, and means providing restricted communication between the i chamber and the discharge side ofsaid valve member whereby to retard the flow of iiuid between the chamber and the discharge side of the valve member in order.` to prevent chattering of the valvemember incident to reciprocation and outlet ports, a valve seat disposed withinv chamber is varied upon movement of the valve member. The cushioning means 'is disposed so that it will not interfere with the free flow of fluid through the inlet and discharge connections. Thus, the valve assembly can be employed for u se With very small pipe or tube lines without substantially increasing the external diameter thereof. Small pipe fittings 'of this type are generally employed in the hydraulic pressure systems of aircraft and the present invention affords an efficient check valve assembly for use in such lines in that the valve assembly can be made extremely'small, thus enabling it to conform to weight and size requirements.

It .is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and ar-I rangement of parts may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention asv set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A check valve assembly for use in fluid pressure lines, comprising a valvecasing having male and female parts,a valve seat disposed withinthereof.

3. A check valve assembly for use in fluid pressure lines, comprising a valve casing having inlet said valve casing around one of said ports, a valve Vmember having a seat-engaging face adapted to cooperate with said valve seatl for controlling the passage of fluid `through the ports, said valve member having a passage therethrough in rear of said seat-engaging face and adapted to afford communication between the ports whenA the valve member is open, said valve casing having a Wall portion spaced inwardly from the inner surface thereof whereby to provide an anmitting retarded flow of fluid between the central l fluid passage and said chamber whereby to check rapid movements of the valve member in opposite directions.

4. A check valve assembly for use in fluid pressure lines, comprising a valve casing having rigidi ly connected male and female parts each provided with a conduit connection, a valve seat disposed around the opening through the conduit connection on s aid female part, a valve member adapted to cooperate with said valve seat for controlling the passage of fluid and including a skirt portion extending inwardly ofthe casing and in contact with thejinner surface o1' said female part, the said male part having an inwardly offset sleeve portion extending within said female part and toward the said valve mem--` `ber but terminating short thereof,l said .sleeve portion iitting within the skirt portion of the valve member to provide a variable annular cushioning chamber and deilning a central passage for fluid passing through the casing, spring means disposed within said cushioning chamber and bearing against the skirt portion of said valve member for `normally forcing the valve member toward a seated position, and means providing restricted communication between the cushioning chamber and central uid passage 4 through the casing for permitting retarded flow of uid into and out of said cushioning chamber whereby to checl'rapid movements of the valve member. p g

5. A check valve assembly for use in iluid pressure lines, comprising a valve casing having rigidly connected male and female parts each provided with a port at the opposite ends thereof and conduit connecting means around the ports, a valve seat disposed around the port in said the casing, said valve member having openings therethrough in rear of the seat-engaging surface for permitting the passage of fluid centrally through the casing when the valve is opened. spring means disposed within the cushioning chamber and bearing against the skirt portion of said valve member for normally forcing the valve member toward a seated position, and means providing a restricted communication between the cushioning chamber and the central fluid passage through the casing for permitting retarded iiow of uid into and out of the cushioning chamber whereby to check rapid movements of ARTHUR L. PARKER.

i the valve member. 

